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Lubicon Lake Nation Requires Canada to Come to the Negotiating Table

LUBICON LAKE NATION, LITTLE BUFFALO, AB, July 25, 2012 /CNW/ - The
Lubicon Lake Nation has taken further steps in asserting its
sovereignty and continuing to enact its self-determination, requiring
the Government of Canada to work with the rightful government of the
First Nation. Canada had refused to negotiate and cooperate with the
Nation's leadership, asserting that there was a "leadership dispute"
and that Canada was therefore unwilling to work with long-time Chief
Ominayak and his Council until the issue was resolved internally. On
July 19, 2012 the parties Canada identified as a group claiming
rightful leadership in opposition to Chief Ominayak and his Council
announced that this was not the case. Steve Noskey, Dwight Gladue,
Larry Ominayak and Dwight Sawan directed a letter to Minister of
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada Minister John Duncan
that provided that Bernard Ominayak represents the Lubicon Lake Indian
Nation as Chief. The letter also directs INAC and AANDC and its agents
to remove themselves from the Nation and to refrain from any further
interference with the Nation.

The Lubicon Lake Nation has received no Government of Canada funding
since the acclamation and election of Chief Ominayak and Councilors
Walter Whitehead, Alphonse Ominayak, George Whitehead and Bryan
Laboucan on June 25, 2009. Additionally, the Nation has been subject
to third party management, in what Lubicon citizens perceive as a means
to silence them and stifle their ability to protect their territories.

Chief Ominayak responded to the document by saying: "The letter
addresses that that we [Chief and Council of the Nation and the Elders'
Council] have led and continue to lead the Nation and we will continue
to work together as a community for the betterment of the Lubicon
people. While it is important that the Government of Canada recognize
this and discontinue their attempt to frame their cessation of services
and funding as a "leadership dispute", our people know we have been in
the office as the rightful government since elected, providing services
and continuing to work on protection of Lubicon lands, economic
development, environmental health, and the wellness of our people. In
that regard, it's business as usual." The public acknowledgement of
Ominayak's ongoing leadership role should serve to prompt Canada to
cease its refusal to work with Ominayak and the Lubicon Lake Nation in
the fulfillment of Canada's legal obligations.

The Lubicon Lake Nation is a sovereign Nation which has Canada's longest
outstanding land claim. Canada's treatment of the Lubicon Lake Nation
has been the subject of damning reports and findings by the United
Nations.